Photo by Julia Chie
For the second straight week, the Spartans lost a game in which they were leading in the second half. Over the last two games the Spartans have been outscored in the second half 42-7.
In the team’s 45-20 loss to Air Force Friday, SJSU’s offense scored no points and gained 154 yards in the second half. Many of the Spartans’ second-half yardage came in the fourth quarter when the team was already down.
“Air Force just kept making adjustments in the second half,” said SJSU quarterback Chevan Cordeiro. “We just have to be able to finish. We always start strong and then we always slow down in the second half. We need to change that.”
Coming into Friday’s game, Air Force boasted the best rushing offense in the country. The Falcons are known for winning the possession battle and chewing clock, making it difficult for teams to come back once they lose the lead.
Air Force executed its plan to a tee. The Falcons rushed for 400 yards and possessed the ball nearly double the time SJSU did.
Spartans’ head coach Brent Brennan said he knew the key to the game would be for SJSU to make the most out of its opportunities on the offensive end, but that didn’t happen.
After Air Force took a 24-20 lead that chewed 8 minutes off the clock in the third quarter, the Spartans got the ball back with a chance to take back the lead.
The drive went three plays, 0 yards and ended in a punt. A controversial non-holding penalty on second down of that possession might have cost SJSU a chance to drive down the field, but regardless the Spartans couldn’t get it done.
SJSU’s next three possessions in the second half ended in two turnovers on downs and an interception.
Not having a defense that can stop the run doesn’t help SJSU’s defense, but this season’s second half offense is a stark contrast from last season.
In 2022, the Spartans averaged 14.6 second half points, but this season the team has averaged 8.8 points in the second half.
Part of that dip in production is the losses to the wide receiving core.
Cordeiro’s most productive target from last season, Elijah Cooks, is now in the NFL. Senior wide receiver Justin Lockhart was projected to be the No. 1 receiver this season, but an injury will keep him sidelined for the entirety of this season.
“I still believe we have a good team,” Cordeiro said. “I feel like we all believe that. We all know that we can get it done.”
SJSU will get a much-needed bye week this week. The Spartans will return to play on Oct. 7 when they travel to Idaho to take on Boise State. The Broncos most recently defeated San Diego State 34-31 last Friday.